Sell an Inherited House You Do Not Want

When you inherit a house you cannot use, keeping it can feel like a second job. If you want to sell your inherited house and be done, the first step is knowing who has the authority to sign.

Authority comes first

A buyer or title company will want proof that you are allowed to sell. In many cases that means the estate has gone through probate, or a court has named someone to act for it. The rules differ by state, so an estate attorney is the right person to ask.

If several heirs share the property, they usually all have to agree before a sale can close.

The carrying costs add up

An empty house still has property taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. Those bills keep arriving whether or not anyone lives there. Many heirs choose a quick sale mostly to stop the monthly drain.

Houses that have sat empty also tend to need work. A buyer who purchases as is can take that off your list.

If there is a mortgage

Sometimes the person who died left a loan on the home. The CFPB says that once a successor in interest is confirmed, they are treated as a borrower for servicing rules even without assuming the loan, and federal law generally bars lenders from enforcing a due-on-sale clause for certain transfers after a death.

Contact the servicer, tell them about the death, and ask in writing what documents they need.

Getting matched

Use the form and tell us the house was inherited, along with its condition and location. We refer your details to a buyer or other professional who may reach out. We do not give tax or legal advice, so check the tax side with a professional before you close.

See our guide to selling without a realtor.

Common questions